This 40 point final exam has two parts – Part I and Part II. For Part I, please write two short essays (2-3 pages per essay, double-spaced), choosing one question from list A and another from list B. Part II has one short answer question about your World News assignment (two paragraphs max). Make sure to label your answers. Essays turned in after 12pm on June 10 will be deducted -.3 per day.

Relax, think clearly, and write beautifully!

Part I: Essays                                                                       16 points per answer (32 points total)

            List A

1. Which IR theory do you find most persuasiveand why? Which is the least persuasive to you and why? After this assessment, imagine how these theoretical perspectives would critique each other’s strengths and weaknesses. What are their frames of analysis and what are the kinds of issues they tend to focus on? What does this discussion say about your worldview and its relation to international relations? Reference at least (2) authors from this course in your essay.

1. IR traditionally takes the “state,” and state relations, as the primary unit of analysis. Yet many scholars, including a number of you in this class, have taken note of forces “above” the nation state (international institutions, global markets, international laws) and forces “below” it (movements for self-determination, the desire to localize politics, technology-aided networks of many kinds). Should the state remain the primary unit of analysis in IR? Why or why not? Reference at least (2) authors from this course in your essay.

            List B

1. Pick a particular case studyof interest to you and analyze it from the perspective of two different IR theories. Your case study can come from issue areas we’ve encountered in class: war, peace, humanitarianism, human rights, environmentalism, feminism, or economic globalization. How would each IR theory understand the case study in question? How might each theory think about solutions to the problems raised by the case study? Which solution do you think would be more effective and why? Reference class material where necessary.
2. Would a world government be a good idea? Lay out perspectives on both sides of this question and make an argument showing which perspective is more compelling to you. Reference 2-3 authors from our class in support of your answer.

Part II: World News reflection                                                                               (8 points)

Give a final, short summary of the news from your country in the last two weeks. Then ask          what you’ve learned about your country as it relates to your country’s international relations?    If you were to do this             assignment for a future class, what country would you choose and why?